newberg school board decision

Individual leaders who have voiced concerns with this policy include the Mayor of Newberg and the President of George Fox University; both of these leaders issued a harsh rebuke of those who classify school as an inappropriate place for discussing contentious issues. Piros seemed to allude to Morelocks lack of enforcement of the political symbols ban as a possible cause for his no-cause termination. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The Snapchat group sometimes specifically targets Black students. After voicing strong objection to the move, the board's other three members, Rebecca Piros, Brandy Penner and Ines Pea, voted against. 503-888-6365, Brian Shannon The lawsuit named the school district as well as Brown, Shannon, Powell and DeHart as defendants. Its clear their personal politics are stronger than any real desire to come together as a school community, the group said on Facebook. If you were in my position and someone took your love and support and identity away how would you feel? One local grandmother noted that she had no problem with the opposition, her only concern was that she too wanted to be heard. PORTLAND, Ore. ( Pamplin Media Group) The union that represents the nearly 300 teachers in the Newberg School District is heralding a settlement in a lawsuit that claimed the school. I assume that is because the state court had already enjoined enforcement of the school board policy that led to both of the lawsuits. "You're a bigger man than I am," Piros said and started to cry, as Penner put her hand over her mouth. We could have upheld the Newberg traditions of the past and collaborated together as a united team.. "He made sure he was in schools every week with kids interacting," she said. Climate Conference in Glasgow, connecting Newberg with trouble and conflict facing school boards across the country. However, this topic will be on the minds and tongues of many in Newberg and its greater community for some time. The ACLU has threatened to sue if the ban remains on the books, and its not clear how this new bans legalese will affect its prosecution. By banning these symbols theyre saying were not accepted here.Jozie Donaghey, I came out tonight because I didnt agree with the school boards decision and didnt think they listened to enough student voices, so Im here exercising my right to protest for representation we deserve., You know, they mentioned a lot that putting these flags in classrooms would make people uncomfortable, but I think they should look at the other side of that tooby banning the flags, theyre saying were not accepted here. Facing an ending fund balance of less than $500,000 on a $51 million General Fund Budget, Dr. Morelocks fiscal responsibility and his work to rebuild trust steadied the district. Yale honors Black girl who was reported to police as she sprayed lanternfli Tyre Nichols videos join patchwork of violent police footage. email:phillipss@newberg.k12.or.us, Address: 714 E. Sixth St,NewbergOR 97132-3406 A conservative majority now exists on the Board, after the local group "Save our Schools . And Im just very disappointed in this decision., Thanks Rebecca, Morelock told her. His mother says he told her White men were cha Sheryl Lee Ralph on her historic Super Bowl act: Its just really neat, Man who died after police used Taser had warned of heart issue, video shows, Memphis officer texted a photo of bloodied Tyre Nichols, records show, Harris, in funeral address, says Tyre Nichols should have been safe. The disputes in the Newberg School Board have come as schools nationwide have become rife with arguments over vaccine and mask mandates, how racism is addressed in teaching, instruction. ", "Oregon school board drops ban on LGBTQ pride, Black Lives Matter and other symbols", "Oregon school worker suspended for showing up in blackface in apparent protest of vaccine mandate", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Newberg_School_District&oldid=1134844881, This page was last edited on 21 January 2023, at 00:40. Wheres your sense of community?, If theres anyone out there hurting Im here for them, I love them and I see them., Ashley McGowan, a Newberg School District parent, says she came out to the protest because fighting for equal rights runs in her family. An Oregon school district voted Tuesday to ban Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ and other "political" signs, flags and articles of clothing from their campuses. I wish the entire board would join us in these efforts.. Be a part of it! The ruling validates our claims and assertions, the NEA release said. Appointed in 2022 -Term expires 6/30/23 Controversy in Newberg persists after the recent Newberg School Board decision to ban both Black Lives Matter (BLM) flags, and Pride flags. Board Member Piros, one of the dissenting members regarding the ban, offered an avenue to discuss the issue further by creating a team of six faculty and two staff members, as opposed to simply adopting more general language. 971-409-5792, Dave Brown We're so sorry. A resident of Dundee submitted the complaint Sept. 30, saying the sign amounted to a gay pride poster and should be removed immediately. Board members Brandy Penner and Rebecca Piros, both in the boards three-member minority, said the sign was not political, especially coming from George Fox, a private Christian university in Newberg. Numerous school and district administrators also have resigned from the district. NEWBERG, Ore. A bitterly divided Newberg school board, which has been enveloped in controversy for the past few months over its decision to pass a policy limiting the kinds of images or signs . Board Chair, Director Zone 6 There has been insufficient public comments, input, notification, and it is 10:30 at night on a school night, Penner said. "I have no idea, financially, how our school district will recover from this. The apparel rule would only apply to staff while they are working. NEWBERG SCHOOL DISTRICT|714 E. 6TH ST. NEWBERG, OREGON 97132|(503) 554-5000. Shannon told the Oregonian that Pride flags and banners were to be included in the ban due to conversations he said he has had with a few Newberg families who dont agree with the gender ideology that flag represents.. When I was there these symbols were allowed, so to see it come to this is really disappointing. This is an after-party of four members, so I say lets just vote get it over with. She added, Its going to be our community, staff and students who are left to fight this.. It protects marginalized populations in our student and staff bodies. So, not not removing Pride and BLM or any other group of people that wants to demonstrate acceptance, pride and support, none of that was harmful before. "Know that your integrity has spurred us to be faithful servers to our children and we wish you well. She said her daughter cried when she told her. Newbergs board isnt the first in Oregon to terminate its superintendent this year. I tell people you can pretend to care but you cant pretend to show up. Morelock, who was silent up to that point during the discussion of the resolution, answered. The ACLU celebrated the ruling in a tweet Thursday, saying they await the courts final order. Gunn then appealed Morelock's decision to the school board. About 100 protesters gathered in downtown Newberg on Tuesday, weeks after a new conservative school board majority voted to ban staff and faculty from displaying Pride and Black Lives Matter banners in their buildings. In September 2022 Yamhill County Circuit Court Judge Cynthia Easterday struck down the Newberg school boards 2021 ban on political signs, declaring it a violation of the state constitutions guarantees of free speech. The board also voted Tuesday on whether to retain lawyer Tyler Smith, an outside attorney they initially hired at the end of August. She tried to get gas. This motion was not allowed to go to vote. With that, the board turned to their actual conversation about Morelock. The school board and district are already the target of a lawsuit filed earlier this month by the Newberg Education Association. Protests against the School Board decision take place on a weekly basis, though pro-BLM demonstrations in Newberg were first inspired over a year ago in the wake of the racial justice demands that were revitalized in 2020. The Newberg School Board's choice to ban BLM and Pride flags came following a shift in the Boards composition. Today we are here because the School Board has to right a wrongthey must repeal this bad policythey must do it tonight. These strong words were amplified through a bullhorn by Newberg Teachers Union president Jen Schnieder. Sept. 23, 2022 9:50 a.m. The dissenting board members said the move to fire Morelock, coupled with litigation over the controversial political symbols ban, could have a grave financial impact on the district. Directors say they need more information before choosing; next round of interviews set for May 5. She made remarks to a group of sixty in opposition to the recent ban on controversial symbols and imagery. What the district has done is unacceptable. The policy limiting the kinds of images or signs school employees can display on campus originally began as a ban passed by the school board in August of LGBTQIA+ and Black Lives Matters flags. On the day before Thanksgiving, as Newberg school district staff scrambled to fulfill other duties after the firing of superintendent Joe Morelock, Newberg School Board chair Dave Brown. Those in favor did not explain their decision. At the start of the public meeting, the boards conservative 4-3 majority voted to add the superintendent discussion, seemingly based on what the board had talked about when they were behind closed doors. Why dont they? 408-472-4257, RonRilee VIDEO:School board fires Newberg School District superintendent. This article was published more than1 year ago. [5], There are seven school board members, each serving four-year terms. Our educators are united in their goal to create classrooms where students can walk in and feel like they belong.. I wont be able to enforce it as it is until weve gone through a bunch of legal review, he said. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. OPBs critical reporting and inspiring programs are made possible by the power of member support. He said in the Tuesday evening meeting that the policy championed and adopted by him and his conservative colleagues is very straightforward and shouldnt be controversial., We dont pay our teachers to push their political views on our students. Everything will work out eventually OK," he said. Time is set aside at the business meeting for public comment. Zone Name Term Ends 1 Trevor DeHart 2025 2 Shelley Kolb 2023 3 Ron Rilee 2023 4 Raquel Peregrino de . The employee was terminated from her position. They gathered at 4:15pm on Sept. 29 at the Newberg city centers flagpole where, fittingly, the citys major highway splits. Elisha Fieldstadt is a breaking news reporter for NBC News. The Newberg School District has faced a school year full of controversy after the board's conservative majority took action last year to ban employees from displaying "political" or. pic.twitter.com/XqAevRkRB7. (If you do NOT receive a confirmation receipt for your public comment request, please reach out to Tabitha directly at 503.554.5041). With their continued attack on symbols of support for Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ pride, the school board is on a dangerous and harmful path. Two of those board members were elected . He referred to a packet given to board members in executive session, but not shared publicly, that had to do with Morelock. The board discussion and vote to remove Morelock was tense. This page is not available in other languages. "Newberg Public Schools Contact Information", "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Yamhill County, OR", "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Clackamas County, OR", "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Washington County, OR", "Count of homeless students in Oregon school districts, 2008-2009", "The Newberg school board issue: How did we get here? The settlement, according to a release from the Newberg Education Association, accomplished three things, primarily that the school board will not appeal the lower courts ruling that the ban be lifted; that the board will either add language to GBG recognizing the lower courts ruling or rescind the amendment entirely, which the board did at its Jan. 10 meeting; and that the board reimburse the union for a significant portion of the legal fees incurred from fighting this illegal amendment, the release said. Pefferle was fired over the blackface incident, according to the Newberg Graphic. Easterday also granted the school districts and board members argument that the policy is not necessarily discriminatory under Article 1, Section 20 of the state constitution. 1:09. Business meetings and work sessions are held at the Newberg School District Office, 714 East 6th Street, Newberg, Oregon. Its just common sense to me.. Shotts, a special education teacher in a Newberg elementary school, filed the lawsuit with the aid of the American Civil Liberties Union and a Portland law firm in late 2021, challenging the boards policy restricting political, quasi-political or controversial displays, including Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ flags. Prior to the public meeting, the board met in executive session, away from the public. The four conservative members of the board voted, 4-3, to fire Superintendent Joe Morelock at the end of Tuesday night's school board meeting. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). Citizens are encouraged to express their ideas, concerns and judgments through communication with District staff and Board members. Board vacancies are filled through appointments made by a majority vote of the remaining board members, according to district policy. We're going to lose so much from this action. NEWBERG An Oregon school board has banned educators from displaying Black Lives Matter and gay pride symbols, prompting a torrent of recriminations and threats to boycott the town and . Board . Because they're cowards and they know they're going to get sued. I dont serve Black people, an attendant told her. For months, the Newberg School District has been making headlines, while its school board mulls a. Dont wait. "These symbols arent hurting anyone and I dont see why banning them is necessary," said Pea. Such a bold statement, and so were out here making ours., Charlie Gates, Newberg High School graduate, As a transgender Black man, I wanted to share some of my story and support the Black and LGBTQ community. At the end of the meeting, the resolution to fire Morelock passed, 4-3, with Brown, Shannon, Powell and DeHart voting in favor. This Oregon school-related article is a stub. The sequence of events documented in the lawsuit matches the sequence outlined in an agenda summary ahead of the board's Nov. 9 meeting, in which the board was scheduled to hold a public hearing to consider whether to overturn Morelock's decision. This was the argument voiced by those who arrived on Oct. 1 not associated with Newberg Rejects White Supremacy Rally. The new dynamic has allowed the conservative board members to pass motions that the previous board neither permitted nor passed. I continue to stand with parents, students of color, LGBTQ students, and all members of the community who have courageously continued to speak out against the school boards unacceptable actions.. The split between the boards majority and minority was clear, with members in the majority remaining quiet, and minority members repeatedly objecting to the speed of the conversation and pointing out the cost, financial and otherwise, of losing Morelock. Former board member Ines Pea resigned several months ago, alleging that she faced a toxic work environment on the board. They were represented by Karen OCasey of the Portland law firm Hart Wanger. Under the Public Records laws any record (e.g. "Anti-free speech, anti-free expression, anti-safety.". Sign up to get important news and culture from around the Northwest, delivered to your inbox six days a week. The firing is effective Nov. 19 and according to board member Brandy Penner, the district will continue to pay Morelock his salary and benefits for the next 12 months, in addition to paying the salary and benefits for the district's next superintendent. "Anti-free speech, anti-free expression, anti-safety. PORTLAND, Ore. ( Portland Tribune) Newberg has been in the news a lot lately. Newberg School District board member Rebecca Piros said she can no longer work with people who she feels do not have the best interests of every student and every staff member at heart, KGW-TV reported . It supports all the steps we have taken to fight the policy change. For the kids that cant say anything now, I wanted to be that voice for them. Plaintiffs seek a declaration that the district policy prohibiting plaintiff association members from hanging, posting, erecting or otherwise displaying any posters, signs, flags, banners, pictures or other digital or physical image that depicts support of opposition relation to a policy, quasi-political or controversial topic, violates plaintiffs guarantees under Article 1, Section 20 of the Oregon Constitution against vague laws that confer unbridled discretion, because such discretion creates the potential for unequal application of the law, and thus arbitrary or unequal treatment of individuals, the filing said. To get in touch with any Director, you may contact them directly or contact School Board Secretaryat 503-554-5000 The entire Board can be reached atboardmembers@newberg.k12.or.us. The Oregonian cited Morelock's contract, which the newspaper obtained through a public records request. In the matter of three months, four people have completely destroyed that.. Mailing Address for the Board Board of Directors Newberg School District 29J 714 East 6th St Newberg, Oregon 97132 An Oregon school board on Tuesday voted to ban educators from displaying Pride flags, Black Lives Matter symbols or other emblems in the classroom that are considered political, quasi-political or controversial, despite pushback from teachers, lawmakers and residents. There is no point in a federal judge striking down something that a state judge already had.. The NEA said the boards decision to ban political symbols was unwarranted and ill-conceived, hence the settlement. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Recently, The Newberg Graphic has reported on two different lawsuits that involve the ongoing feud between the conservative majority of the Newberg public schools board and the sinister mafia-esque group called Newberg Equity in Education, which as I have previously reported, is a splinter cell of Progressive Yamhill AKA Save Yamhill County PAC AKA Yamhill County Democrats, led by Lynette Shaw . Gov. Piros concluded the meeting by addressing Morelock. The ACLU of Oregon and law firm Davis Wright Tremaine argued that the ban violates the Oregon Constitution. Since the school board approved the policy in September 2021, tension and conflict has continued among school board members, district employees and those in the Newberg community. Group showed footage of fatal Breonna Taylor raid at restaurant event, dine BLM co-founders cousin dies after police repeatedly use Taser, video shows, Bidens marijuana policy may change attitudes toward immigrants. A White man was scared to death of Ralph Yarl. Its just such a bold statement to make. That means the board cant enforce the policy against Shotts or, for that matter, anyone else. The district will have to pay Morelocks salary and benefits for the next 12 months, according to a reading of Morelocks contract during the meeting. They cant discipline her or them for putting up a poster in violation of the policy..

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